News archive from 22 June 2014

Egypt had been hit by an economic crisis following a 2011 uprising that ousted autocratic Hosni Mubarak. Since then, the state's successive governments have been trying to steer a course between boosting revenues without discouraging investors.
FDI...

HOPES that the launch of New Isas next month would spark fresh competition in the savings market appear to have been dashed, to the frustration of long-suffering savers.
All Isas will be rebranded as New Individual Savings Accounts (Nisas) from 1...

Thibaut Courtois has hinted he will return to Chelsea next season after revealing a conversation he had with Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
The Belgian goalkeeper, currently at the World Cup, has spent the past three seasons on loan with Atletico Madrid,...

AN independent Scotland could enjoy a 50 per cent boost to its food and drink exports, claims the Scottish Government.
According to the SNP, a Yes vote would see the creation of up to 90 overseas offices, improve the country’s international profile,...

HOUSE prices will rise more quickly if Scotland remains in the UK than they would if there is a Yes vote, a leaked document from estate agents Savills has suggested.
A presentation given by the estate agent this month, titled “Financing Property...

The comicbook inspiration for the TV series iZombie. Photograph: Observer A chain-smoking exorcist with a nice line in sardonic putdowns; a zombie medical student who needs brains to survive; an itinerant preacher who speaks the literal word of God...

British actress Patsy Byrne, best known for her role as Nursie in Blackadder II, has died aged 80. She died on Tuesday at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors, in Hillingdon, north-west London.
The Kent-born actress appeared in a number of TV...

THE Green Investment Bank is expected to unveil a new fund this week that could give it access to as much as £500 million to help kickstart more renewables projects.
The fund, to be announced on Tuesday alongside its first full-year results, will be...

Mahmud Kamani, joint chief executive of Boohoo.com, the Manchester-based online fashion retailer. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Observer With a cream leather lounger strategically placed under a map of the world labelled "the world is...

Click to enlarge. The Bank of England's financial policy committee has reached crunch time. Set up by George Osborne to prevent asset bubbles from derailing the economy, the state of Britain's housing market provides the FPC with an early test of its...

Ian McDiarmid: 'Sometimes a passionate critic can really get to the heart of the matter.' Photograph: Rex Features Born in Carnoustie, actor Ian McDiarmid is renowned for his extensive work in the theatre, both on stage and as a director. Having...